Based on your responses, we've outlined your personalized situation and recommended next steps below!
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What these denials mean:
To get service-connected for your mental disorder, you need evidence showing that your disability began or worsened - either during your active duty or because of another established service-connected disability.
This denial confirms that you have a mental disorder. Your claim was denied because there wasn't evidence of a nexus, or connection, between your mental disorder and your service.
Understanding mental disorder classifications for VA claims:
The VA classifies mental disorders into three different types, though all service-connected mental disorders receive one combined rating:
- Eating Disorders (with its own DBQ and measurement criteria)
- PTSD (with its own specific DBQ)
- Other Mental Disorders
For non-PTSD diagnoses, there needs to be evidence of that mental disorder somewhere in your military records. Clear examples might be service treatment records noting "depressed mood," while less obvious evidence could include notes about attitude changes, sleep difficulties, or weight changes.
Possible scenarios:
- Evidence exists but wasn't identified: Relevant evidence may be in your records but wasn't obvious enough to stand out. A thorough records review could uncover this evidence.
- No evidence in military records: In this case, we would need buddy statements from friends, family, or fellow Service Members providing first-hand accounts of symptoms they observed during your active duty.
- Undiagnosed PTSD: This happens frequently. PTSD has different evidence standards depending on the type of traumatic stressor, with special considerations for combat, hostile/terrorist events, and Military Sexual Trauma (MST).
You can still get service-connection if:
I can provide evidence of a nexus that was previously missed (which may or may not be for your currently diagnosed mental disorder).
How?
- Records Review - I would thoroughly examine your records to find evidence that may have been overlooked.
- Nexus Letter - If evidence exists, I can write a nexus letter supporting your claim.
- Independent Medical Examination (IME) - We might need to conduct an IME to assess for PTSD if that appears to be a possibility.
Standard VA Disability Claim Process
The VA will provide:
- Free medical examination
- Free records review
Your Fieldstone Service Plan:
Estimated Total Cost:
$1,400 - $2,500
- Records Review: $350
- Nexus Letter: $1,050
- Total: $1,400
If your diagnosis is PTSD: If after completing your Records Review, it is determined that a positive opinion cannot be offered in a Nexus Letter, you will be informed that a Nexus Letter cannot be written. The Records Review $350 fee is non-refundable.
If your diagnosis is a Mental Disorder other than PTSD: If after completing your Records Review, it is determined that a positive opinion cannot be offered in a Nexus Letter, there are two possible options:
- If your symptoms are more consistent with a PTSD diagnosis that could be connected to your service, we could complete an IME for an additional $1100 fee. Nexus Letters for PTSD have a different set of requirements than other Mental Disorders.
- If your Mental Disorder isn’t PTSD, you will be informed that a Nexus Letter cannot be written. The Records Review $350 fee is non-refundable.
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